Slide fastener

ABSTRACT

A slide fastener and method and apparatus for making the same are disclosed wherein coils of filamentary material are secured to adjacent edges of a pair of carrier tapes. Each coil of filamentary material is formed from a filament having a specially shaped cross section which is arranged in a mirror image relationship with respect to its adjacent filamentary coil. During formation of the filamentary coils, they are simultaneously wound on a mandrel having differently shaped surfaces which aid in the final shaping of each coil.

United States Patent [191 Moertel 1 Sept. 23, 1975 SLIDE FASTENER [75]inventor: George B. Moertel, Conneautville,

[73] Assignee: Textron Inc., Providence, RI.

[221 Filed: July 18, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 380,323

[52] US. Cl. 24/205.l3 C; 24/205.13 (51] Int. Cl A44!) 19/12 [58] Fieldof Search 24/205.l3 C, 205.l C

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1942 Smith 24/120513 C2.919482 1/1960 Caisson. 24/205.13 C 3.247.871 4/1966 Lacam 24/205114 CFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 115,798 9/1942 Australia 24/205.13 C

1,323,015 2/1963 France. 3 C 1,145,117 3/1963 Germany 24/2051] C 940.06610/1963 United Kingdom 24/20513 C Primary ExaminerBernard A. Gelak [57]ABSTRACT A slide fastener and method and apparatus for making the sameare disclosed wherein coils of filamentary material are secured toadjacent edges of a pair of carrier tapes. Each coil of filamentarymaterial is formed from a filament having a specially shaped crosssection which is arranged in a mirror image relationship with respect toits adjacent filamentary coil. During formation of the filamentarycoils, they are simultaneously wound on a mandrel having differentlyshaped surfaces which aid in the final shaping of each coil.

6 Claims, 28 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 1 of 83,906,595

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 2 of 8 3,906,595

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 3 of8 3,906,595

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 4 of 8 3,906,595

FIG. l8

US Patent Sept. 23,1975

Sheet 5 of 8 US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 6 of8 3,906,595

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 8 0f8 3,906,595

FIG. 25-

FIG. 26

FIG. 27

FIG. 28

SLIDE FASTENER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThis invention relates to slide fasteners and to a method and apparatusfor making the same, and in particular to the structural formation ofthe filamentary coils for slide fasteners.

2. Description of the Prior Art It has been conventional for the coil ofslide fasteners to be formed from filamentary material with eachconvolution of the coil having head and heel elements interconnected byleg elements; simultaneous formation of a pair of coils has beenaccomplished on coiling machines which shape the convolutions of thefilamentary coils on suitable mandrels and intermesh such coils aftertheir formation.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,937,297; 2,296,880; 2,300,442; 2,300,433; 2,541,728;2,643,432; 2,907,066; 2,973,554; 3,053,288; 3,145,523; 3,152,433;3,196,489,; 3,553,782 and 3,609,827 are representative of the prior artin illustrating a variety of cross sections for the interlockingelements of slide fasteners as well as a variety of methods andapparatuses for forming the same.

One of the problems associated with the prior art devices is that themanufacture of slide fastener coils having non-circular cross sectionshas resulted in slide fasteners that have a low index of flexibility anda high index of rigidity. While the prior art devices may have beensatisfactory for the particular purpose for which they were designed,they have not been satisfactory in maintaining the proper flexibilityfor the different types and sizes of slide fasteners utilizingfilamentary coil of the plastic type. The many methods and apparatus inthe prior art have served their particular purposes with respect to thetypes of slide fastener coils for which they were designed. However,such prior art arrangements have always utilized a symmetricalassociation of coiling steps and mandrel configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is summarized in a slidefastener device and a method and apparatus for making the same whereinthe slide fastener device includes a pair of carrier tapes having edgesdisposed adjacent each other, a pair of interengaging filamentary coilsrespectively attached to the edges of the carrier tapes with each coilhaving a plurality of convolutions disposed along a longitudinal axisparallel to a longitudinal .axis defined by its carrier tape edge, eachconvolution of each coil including a bight element with first and secondlinks extending therefrom and a connector member interconnecting a linkof one convolution with a second link of an adjacent convolution, thebight elements of one coil being generally adjacent the connec- .tormembers of the other coil, the first links of one coil engaging thefirst links of the other coil in a first pattern, and the second linksof one coil engaging the second links of the other coil in a secondpattern different from the first pattern whereby the filamentary coilsare easily flexed with their respective carrier tapes.

An object of the present invention is to increase the flexibility of aslide fastener without decreasing the strength of the slide fastener.

Another object of the present invention is to increase the strength of aslide fastener while reducing the size thereof.

This invention has another object in that the coils of a slide fastenerdevice are meshed together in a nesting arrangement.

Another object of this invention is to eliminate sharp edgedinterlocking elements on the filamentary coils of slide fasteners.

Still another object of this invention is to construct the coils of aslide fastener by a reorientation of the geometry of the filamentarycoils.

The present invention has another object in that the coils of a slidefastener are made by wrapping a generally elliptical filament around amandrel having asymmetrical surfaces.

It is a further object of the present invention to construct a coilforming mandrel with differently shaped sloping surfaces about which apair of filamentary coils are wound into predetermined shapes.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial front elevationview of a slide fastener embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial front elevation view of the right hand coil of FIG.1 on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation as viewed from the FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line 77 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a rear elevation view ofthe right hand coil of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along line 1010 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation as viewed from the right of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view taken along line l3-l3 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a partial front elevation view of the coils in FIG. 1 inmating positions;

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view as viewed from the right of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a partial rear elevation view of the detail shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view as viewed from the right of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a partial elevation view with parts in section of a coilingapparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged elevation view of the top portion of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of FIG. 19',

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the mandrel of FIG. 18 on an enlargedscale;

FIG. 22 is a partial cross sectional view taken along line 22-22 of FIG.21 with parts added;

right of FIG. 23 is a partial cross sectional view taken along line23-23 of FIG. 21 with parts added;

FIG. 24 is a partial front elevation of FIG. 21 with parts added;

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relative initialpositions of the two coils being wound on the mandrel at the beginningof a winding operation;

FIG. 26 is a view similar to FIG. 25 wherein the two coils are displaced90 from the initial position of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a view similar to FIG. 25 wherein the two coils are displaced180 from the initial position of FIG. 25; and

FIG. 28 is a view similar to FIG. 25 wherein the two coils are displaced270 from the initial position of FIG. 25.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBGDIMENTS The present invention isembodied in a slide fastener illustrated in FIG. 1 as including a sliderand pull assembly 5 which is moved longitudinally along a pair ofstringers for opening and closing the opening in a garment or the likeas is well known in the art. The stringers include a pair of carriertapes 7 and 9, the adjacent edges of which are provided withinterlocking elements made of a suitable plastic filamentary material,such as nylon, 21 polyester, or the like. As viewed in FIG. 1 theinterlocking elements are designated as the right-hand filamentary coilwhich is suitably secured to the edge of the carrier tape 9; theleft-hand filamentary coil 110 is similarly secured to an adjacent edgeof the lefthand carrier tape 7. The terms left, right, front, rear, etc.are being used herein in order to facilitate the description of thestructural components.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the filamentary coil 10 is definedby a series of convolutions each of which includes a bight element 12with its opposite ends having links 14 and 16 and with a connectormember 18 interconnecting the front link 14 of one convolution with therear link 16 of an adjacent convolution. The filament of the coil 10 mayhave any suitable crosssectional configuration that approaches anelliptical shape; i.e., the exact parameters of the major and minoraxes, may vary widely but they may not be equal as in the case of acircular cross-sectional configuration. In accordance with the presentinvention the elliptical cross section of the filament of the coil issubstantially the same throughout its length and the appearance thatcertain components of each convolution may be of different sizes thanother components is not primarily accomplished by a deformation of theparticular component but rather is accomplished by a reorientation ofthe major and minor axes of each convolutions components with respect toeach other. While it is not necessary for the purposes of the presentinvention. it will be noted that the bight element 12 is slightlyenlarged along its major axis because of the apparatus utilized incoiling filamentary material; i.e., the bight element 12 is physicallyfolded or wrapped around a surface small enough to cause a high unitpressure whereby the bight element 12 is slightly compressed against asurface perpendicular to its minor axis causing a slight reduction inits minor axis and a corre spondingly slight enlargement of its majoraxis (see FIG. 13).

As viewed in FIG. 4, the major axis of the front link 14 is inclinedapproximately 60 from the vertical which defines the longitudinal planein which the filamentary coil 10 is disposed. The connector member 18,which connects adjacent front and rear link 14 and 16 is shown in FIGS.5 and 6 to be generally opposite the bight element 12; the major axis ofthe filament of the coil 10 at the connector member 18 is shown in FIG.7 to be rotated approximately 60 counterclockwise from that of the frontlink 14 of FIG. 4, i.e., the major axis of the connector member 18substantially coincides with the vertical defining such longitudinalplane.

The rear link 16 is more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 whichrespectively resemble FIGS. 2-4 but which differ therefrom in that themajor axis of the rear link 16 is displaced counterclockwise from thatshown in FIG. 4 for the from link 14. Thus, the major axis of theellipse forming the rear link 16 is inclined approximately 30counterclockwise from the vertical which defines the above longitudinalplane (see FIG. 10).

The bight element 12 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is generally opposite tothe connector member 18 and its cross section is substantially the sameas that shown for connector member 18 in FIG. 7. However, inasmuch asthe bight element 12 is slightly compressed along its minor axis asdiscussed above, the cross section of the bight element 12 of FIG. 13 isnot identical to that of FIG. 7. The major axis of the bight element 12is shown in FIG. 13 to be rotated approximately 30 clockwise from thatof the rear link 16 of FIG. 10; i.e., the major axis of the bightelement 12 substantially coincides with the vertical defining the abovelongitudinal plane.

The filamentary coils 10 and 110 have substantially the same componentsso that a detailed description of coil 110 is being omitted for sake ofbrevity and the corresponding components merely being identified withthe same reference numerals with added. For example, each convolution ofthe left hand coil includes a bight element 112, front and rear links114 and 116, and a connector member 1 18; in addition, the coil 1 10 isdisposed in mirror image relation to the coil 10 so that bight elements12 and 112 face each other when the slide fastener of FIG. 1 is opened.

A portion of the slide fastener coils 10 and 110 is illustrated in FIG.14 in a closed position and the front links 14 and 114 are nested intocontact with each other in a generally parallel arrangement. As isapparent from FIGS. 2 and 15, each front link 14 and 114 has a geometrythat is continuously changing because each coil 10 and 110 is formed inthe general construction of an open helix. The geometry of coil 10changes from its front link 14 to its bight element 12 by reorientationof the cross-sectional major axis from its position shown in FIG. 4 toits position shown in FIG. 13, thence from bight element 12 to its rearlink I6 by reorientation of the major axis from its position shown inFIG. 13 to its position shown in FIG. 10, and finally from its rear link16 to its connector member 18 by reorientation of the major axis fromits position shown in FIG. 10 to its position shown in FIG. 7.

Each front link 14 (114) has an asymmetrical geometry with respect toits rear link 16 (116). As is shown in FIGS. 2. l4 and IS, the frontlink 14 (114) is generally perpendicular relative to the longitudinalaxis defined by the plane of coil 10 110); thus, the front links 14 ofcoil 10 are generally parallel to the front links 114 of the coil 110 asbest seen in FIG. 14. As is shown in FIGS. 5, l6 and 17, the link 16(116) is generally inclined relative to the longitudinal axis defined bythe plane of the coil 10 (110); the links 16 and 116 are not parallel toeach other but rather are inclined toward each other as best seen inFIG. 16. The parallel and inclined relationship applies generally to therespective central portions of the adjacent links 14 and 114 and theadjacent links 16 and 116 because the crosssectional geometry of eachcoil 10 and 110 changes as the components of each convolution is shaped.

When the two coils 10 and 110 are intermeshed, as illustrated in thelower part of FIG. 1, the front side of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 14 ashaving a generally parallel arrangement while the rear side is shown inFIG. 16 as having a generally herringbone arrangement. In addition, thebight element 12 of coil 10 is nested between the links 114 and 116 andspaced slightly from the connector member 118 of coil 110 (see FIGS. 14and 17), while the bight element 112 of coil 110 is nested between thelinks 14 and 16 and spaced slightly from the connector member 18 of coil10 (see FIGS. 14 and With the above arrangement, a slide fastenerconstructed according to the present invention exhibits a high degree offlexibility together with a high degree of lateral strength. Byrearranging the geometry of each coil 10 and 110 into an asymmetricalconstruction, the front and rear sides have different configurationswhich permits the convolutions of one coil to be closely inter lockedwith the adjacent convolutions of the other coil whereby the overallstrength of the slide fastener chain is enhanced. Since the bightelements 12 and 112 have their major axes oriented to be parallel withand substantially coinciding with the longitudinal plane in which thecoils 10 and 110 are disposed, improper lateral separation of the bightelements from their interlocked arrangement is virtually precluded. Forexample, the bight element 12 has its major axis substantially vertical,as shown in FIG. 13 so that any lateral movement in a direction towardits connector member 18 would be impeded by the adjacent links 114 (seeFIGS. 2 and 14) because its major axis presents a larger dimension thanthe spacing between the adjacent links 114; any such lateral movementwould also affect the opposite bight element 112 which would besimilarly impeded in its lateral movement by the adjacent links 14. Suchlateral movement of the bight element 12 is further precluded becauseits vertical edge portions would abut the adjacent vertical edgeportions of the adjacent pair of bight elements 112 of the coil 110;similarly, the vertical edge portions of bight element 112 would engagethose of the adjacent pair of bight elements 12.

The strength of the slide fastener is substantially increased by theabove arrangement which also substantially increases the flexibility ofthe slide fastener. For

example, the parallel construction of the front links 14 and 114 as seenin FIG. 14 is asymmetrical to the herringbone construction of the rearlinks 16 and 116 as seen in FIG 16. Such an asymmetrical arrangementpermits easy flexing of the slide fastener perpendicular to itslongitudinal axis whereby it may be installed in a garment opening (notshown) without bunching of the garment material and whereby it may bendwith the garment when being worn without agitation and/or irritation tothe wearer. The flexibility of the slide fastener becomes apparent bycomparing the four sides thereof as shown in FIGS. 14-17 whichillustrate a close interlocking arrangement of the coils l0 and withoutsharp edges and/or abutments. Such an arrangement is accomplished by theconstantly changing geometry of each coil 10 (110), i.e., the major axisof the filament of coil 10 (110) varies through each completeconvolution thereof, as shown in FIGS. 4, 7, 10 and 13. This changing ofthe geometry of each coiled convolution permits the utilization of moreconvolutions per unit length of the coil resulting in the particularadvantages of increasing the longitudinal and lateral strength of theslide fastener device without increasing the bulk or diametrical size ofthe filament or the coil. For example, the front or first link 14 ofcoil 10 nests with the front or first links 114 of coil 110 and,similarly, the rear or second link 16 nests with the rear or second link116; as is apparent in FIGS. 14 and 16, such nesting arrangementspresent a close fitting, generally parallel construction for the firstlinks 14 and 114, and a generally herringbone construction for thesecond links 16 and 116.

The method of making the interengaging coils for the slide fastenerdevice commences with a pair of continuous filaments having generallyelliptical cross sections and being supplied under suitable tension fromsupply spools or the like to a shaping mandrel. The filaments areoriented so that their major axes are substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the mandrel and then are simultaneously wound inopposite directions about the mandrel with one filament being degreesout of phase with the second filament so that they will cross eachother.

The coils 10 and 110 are formed with a plurality of convolutions, eachof which includes the four components, namely, the bight element 12, thefirst link 14, the second link 16 and the connector member 18. As eachconvolution is being shaped, its filaments geometry is continuouslychanging by reorienting the major axis of its cross section resulting inan asymmetrical relationship between the first and second links. Thereorientation of each bight element 12 (112) is accomplished by aligningits major axis so as to be generally parallel to a longitudinal axisdefined by the intermeshed coils; the reorientation of each connectormember 18 118) is accomplished by aligning its major axis so as to begenerally parallel to such longitudinal axis. The reorientation of eachof the first and second links is accomplished by inclining their majoraxes relative to such longitudinal axis and at a different angle betweeneach other. Each of the bight elements 12 1 12) is shaped by aligningthe major axis thereof so as to be generally parallel to each other andto the longitudinal axis of the intermeshed coils. each connector member18 (118) is formed by being wrapped around adjacent portions of thebight elements with the connector members of one coil being wrappedaround the bight elements of the other coil.

The oppositely wound filaments are maintained under tension to assurecooperation with the shaping mandrel. after which the interfittingcomponents of the convolutions are maintained in intermeshedrelationship by means of an internal support projecting from the shapingmandrel. The intenneshed coils then pass through a heating stage topermanently form the shaped components and are then removed from suchinternal support.

Apparatus for making the filamentary coils in accordance with thepresent invention is illustrated in FIG.

18 as including a casing 20 which houses power drivendrive and gearingassemblies. A drive shaft 22 is rotated by any suitable power means suchas an electric motor (not shown) and a helical gear 24 fixed to shaft 22for rotation therewith.

The two coilers shown in FIGS. 18 and I9 are substantially similar sothat only one is being described and identified with reference numbers;similar reference numerals with 100 added for correlated components ofthe second coiler are being shown in parentheses. For example, the twocoilers are inclined toward each other and the driving gear 24 mesheswith a helical gear 30 (I30) which is fixed to a longitudinally boredshaft 32 (I32) that is rotatably mounted and sealed in the easing 20 bya suitable bar 34 (I34) and a shaft seal 36 (136) at its lower end andby a ball bearing assembly 38 (I38) at its upper end. A shank member 40(140) is fixed to the upper end of the shaft 32 (132) by any suitablemeans such as a clamping block 41 (141) and cap screws 42 I42); see FIG.20. A plurality of spaced odontoid or lugs 44 144) are circumferentiallyspaced about the upper periphery of the shank member. A guide pulley orwheel 46 (146) is rotatably carried in the shank member 40 (140) and thestrand of filamentary material of the coil (I10) progresses from asupply spool 48 (148) through the central bore of the shaft 32 I32) andaround the pulley 46 (146) through a slotted portion of one of theprojections 44 (144) from which it is wrapped on a mandrel, as describedbelow.

The odontoid projections 44 and 144 are shaped so as to support anoval-shaped mandrel holder 49 in a substantially floating condition.Thus, rotation of the shank members 40 and 140 in opposite directionscauses the projections 44 to pass between the projections 144 so thatthe rotatable path of the projections 44 intersects the rotatable pathof the projections 144.

It is to be recognized that the specific details of construction of thetwo coilers described above may take a variety of conventional forms;consequently, further description of the coiler components as well astheir path sequence of operation is being omitted for the sake ofbrevity. For a complete description of coilers that may be utilizedherewith, attention is directed to US. Pat. No. 3,053,288 which showsvarious types of coilers and which is incorporated herein by reference.

The floating mandrel holder 49 has a centrally disposed bore whichsupports a mandrel base 50. the lower portion of which is substantiallycircular to conform to the shape of the mandrel holder bore. The upperportion of the mandrel base 50 includes a generally frusto-conicalsurface 52, the apex of which is truncated. A rectangular bore 54extends centrally through the mandrel base 50 and intersects thetruncated surface. As viewed in FIG. 21. an elongated slot 56 isdisposed adjacent the left short side of the rectangular bore 54 and asimilar slot 58 is disposed adjacent the right short side thereof. Agenerally rectangular mandrel 60 fits into the rectangular opening 54.Adjacent the notches 56 and 58 the sides of mandrel 60 are slanted witha decreasing taper defining similarly sloped surfaces 62 and 64,respectively. Also adjacent the rectangular opening 54 the mandrel 60has a rear sloping surface 66 which terminates in the general area ofthe surfaces 62 and 64. As is illustrated in FIG. 23, the side of themandrel opposite to the sloping surface 66 is provided with a frontsloping surface 68, the angle of inclination of which is substantiallygreater than the angle of inclination of the sloping surface 66.

The mandrel 60 is provided with a longitudinally disposed, rectangularslot which receives a rectangularly shaped extension 70 in telescopingfashion. As is illustrated in FIG. 21, a heat box 72 surrounds theextension 70 to provide a permanent set for the shaped coils. Heat isprovided to the heat box 72 by any suitable menas. e.g. electricresistance coils or the like.

As is illustrated in FIG. 25, the two filaments of the coils I0 and 110are wound about the mandrel 60 in opposite directions with the twofilaments being out of phase by 180. The coiler heads rotate in oppositedirections so that the filament of the coil 10 advances through a sectorin a clockwise direction from the position in FIG. 25 to the position ofFIG. 26; simultaneously, the filament of the coils I10 advances througha 90 sector in a counter clockwise direction. FIG. 27 shows thefilaments of the coils l0 and being advanced through another 90 sectorwhile FIG. 28 shows such filaments being advanced through another 90sector. From FIG. 28, the filaments of the coils 10 and 110 will proceedto their initial position, as illustrated in FIG. 25.

During the formation of the intermeshed coils, the bight elements 12 and112 are fonned by contacting the mandrel surfaces while the connectormembers [8 and I 18 are formed by contacting those portions of theopposite filaments which are wrapped on the mandrel. The intermeshedcoils are thus formed by the mandrel and filament interaction and aremoved vertically along the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, as shown inFIGS. 21-24. During their vertical movement, the intermeshed coils 12and I12 are guided by the mandrel extension 70 and are passed throughthe heating box 72 so that the formed intermeshed coils are permanentlyset or cured by heating. After leaving the heating box, the intermeshedcoils undergo an air cooling stage by being moved in such a manner as toprevent stretching or compression, i.e., by two constant speed drivenpulleys or wheels (not shown). After leaving such wheels, theintermeshed coils drop through a distance of about 5 feet whereby theyare finally air cooled and, by hanging downwardly, gravity prevents thecoils from being kinked, convoluted or otherwise disturbed.

Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many modifications,variations and changes in detail, it is intended that all mattercontained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is:

I. A slide fastener device comprising a pair of carrier tapes havingedges disposed adjacent each other,

a pair of interengaging continuous coils respectively attached to theedges of said carrier tapes,

each coil being formed from a filament having a central core axis andhaving an elliptical cross section transverse to the central core axis,

each coil having a plurality of convolutions disposed along alongitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by its carriertape edge,

each convolution of each coil including a bight element, first andsecond links extending from said bight element and a connector memberinterconnecting a first link of one convolution with a second link of anadjacent convolution,

each convolution of each coil being substantially identical to itsadjacent convolution each first link having a cross section with a majoraxis different from a major axis of a cross section of each second link.

the bight elements first and second links and connec tor members of onecoil being of substantially identical construction to the respectivebight elements first and second links and connector members of the othercool the bight elements of one coil being generally adjacent theconnector members of the other coil,

the first links of one coil each having its central core axis parallelto the central core axis of each first link of the other coil and saidfirst links of the one coil nesting with the first links of the othercoil in a first pattern defining a generally parallel arrangement andthe second links of the one coil each having its central core axisdisplaced from the central core axis of each second link of the othercoil and said second links of the one coil nesting with the second linksof the other coil in a second pattern different from said first patternand defining a generally herringbone arrangement whereby the filamentarycoils are easily flexed with their respective carrier tapes 2. A slidefastener device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, each coil has a generallyelliptical configuration defined by inner and outer peripheries of eachconvolution. and wherein said inner and outer peripheries have differentcenter points.

3. A slide fastener device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ellipticalcross section of said first and second links have major axes inclinedfrom a vertical plane in which the coils are disposed.

4. A slide fastener device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the major axisof said first link is oppositely inclined from the major axis of saidsecond link.

5. A slide fastener device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the ellipticalcross section of said bight element has a major axis generally inalignment with a vertical plane in which the coils are disposed.

6. A slide fastener device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the ellipticalcross section of said connector member has a major axis generally inalignment with a vertical plane in which the coils are disposed

1. A slide fastener device comprising a pair of carrier tapes having edges disposed adjacent each other, a pair of interengaging continuous coils respectively attached to the edges of said carrier tapes, each coil being formed from a filament having a central core axis and having an elliptical cross section transverse to the central core axis, each coil having a plurality of convolutions disposed along a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by its carrier tape edge, each convolution of each coil including a bight Element, first and second links extending from said bight element and a connector member interconnecting a first link of one convolution with a second link of an adjacent convolution, each convolution of each coil being substantially identical to its adjacent convolution, each first link having a cross section with a major axis different from a major axis of a cross section of each second link, the bight elements, first and second links and connector members of one coil being of substantially identical construction to the respective bight elements first and second links and connector members of the other cool the bight elements of one coil being generally adjacent the connector members of the other coil, the first links of one coil each having its central core axis parallel to the central core axis of each first link of the other coil and said first links of the one coil nesting with the first links of the other coil in a first pattern defining a generally parallel arrangement, and the second links of the one coil each having its central core axis displaced from the central core axis of each second link of the other coil and said second links of the one coil nesting with the second links of the other coil in a second pattern different from said first pattern and defining a generally herringbone arrangement whereby the filamentary coils are easily flexed with their respective carrier tapes.
 2. A slide fastener device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, each coil has a generally elliptical configuration defined by inner and outer peripheries of each convolution, and wherein said inner and outer peripheries have different center points.
 3. A slide fastener device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elliptical cross section of said first and second links have major axes inclined from a vertical plane in which the coils are disposed.
 4. A slide fastener device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the major axis of said first link is oppositely inclined from the major axis of said second link.
 5. A slide fastener device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the elliptical cross section of said bight element has a major axis generally in alignment with a vertical plane in which the coils are disposed.
 6. A slide fastener device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the elliptical cross section of said connector member has a major axis generally in alignment with a vertical plane in which the coils are disposed. 